By Ron Smith
September 5, 2018
 
(FRESNO, Calif.) With second-half goals by Katelyn Merrell and Maddi Berthoud, seventh-ranked Westmont Women's Soccer (4-0-1) came back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat Fresno Pacific (0-3-1) on the road.
 
"Going into tonight, I knew it was going to be a good test for us," said Westmont head coach Chantel Cappuccilli. "Fresno Pacific is widely respected in the Pac West. In the Pac West season preview, they were picked to win the conference. Coming on to their home pitch, it was going to be a good trial to see how we adapt in that kind of setting."
 
The Sunbirds got on the board in just the seventh minute of play when Alexis Macias chipped the ball to Tori De Leon who scored on a low shot with her right foot. Fresno Pacific tallied five shots on goal in the first half while the Warriors produced just one.
 
"I felt we had more in us to give after the first half," acknowledged the coach. "Although we always emphasize respecting our opponent, I don't think we were playing to our potential. In the second half, the players made the appropriate adjustments to be able to demonstrate what we are capable of."
 
The Warriors tied the game in the 60th minute off of a corner kick.
 
"The coaching staff has been emphatic this week regarding the importance of set pieces," said Cappuccilli. "With the corner we gained, we were able to get the equalizer, which gave us the momentum we needed in the second half.
 
"Teagan (Mayte) played the ball into Savannah (Scott)," described Cappucilli. "Savannah hit the ball into the box and Katelyn scored."
 
Five minutes later, the game winner came off the foot of Maddi Berthoud.
 
"Maddi played a big role today in getting us going in the attack," stressed Cappuccilli. "It was great to see her take over when we need it.
 
"The ball came from one of the center backs, sprayed out wide to Kira near the midfield sideline. I appreciated the fact that Kira looked to go forward on her first touch. She played the ball straight into Maddi.
 
"Maddi had a great individual effort to find space in the middle of the pitch. She was quite far out, at least 25 yards. She struck a fantastic ball. We needed a moment like that to get a result tonight. I am happy with how the team responded in the second half to our feedback at halftime."
 
Goalkeeper Gabi Haw recorded seven saves over the game's 90 minutes, including what Cappuccilli described as a "big save after we had taken the lead that probably would have gone in."
 
Westmont returns home to host Rocky Mountain of Montana (3-0) on Saturday. The Battlin' Bears have outscored their opponents 12-3 in their previous games.
 
"We have to quickly recover and get ourselves physically and mentally prepared to meet the demands of a third game this week," asserted Cappuccilli. "But, I think it is another opportunity for us to grow. We made positive strides tonight and I am looking forward to seeing how the team responds to a win this evening."
 
Kick-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. following the Westmont Men's Soccer game against Corban (Ore.) that begins at noon.